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BOSTON (CBS) – It’s the final sprint for holiday shoppers. And if you still have holiday shopping left, expect to battle the crowds. Historically speaking, the weekend before Christmas surpasses even Black Friday as the busiest of the year.

“This is where you have half of your sales really during the holiday season because most of us are procrastinators and the surveys show most of us still have shopping to do,” said Jon Hurst of the Mass. Retailers Association.

“Nightmare on Elm Street,” said one shopper fighting crowds in the Burlington Mall Friday night.

Brick and mortar retailers have the edge over the online competition this week, since time is running out for shipping.

“I think the cut-off was yesterday on the online stuff,” said one shopper on Friday night. “Anything beyond Mass., you’re not going to get.”

WBZ-TV’s Christina Hager reports

“If all the crowds and lines are more than you can stomach, this year, stores are giving you options by expanding hours. Sears will be open until midnight, and some Macys will be open until 2 a.m.

“You’re going to see it this last week, very early openings. You’re going to see very late closings,” Hurst said.

Stores are also luring customers with deep discounts. But for some, getting it done is incentive enough.

“My goal is to start and finish today,” said Emilia Lopez Flemming Friday night. “This is a chore, but I’m going to get it done.”